How Pete Rose built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Pete Rose, nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", was a prominent MLB player and manager from 1963-1989. Best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine," he also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos. Rose secured three World Series championships, one with the Phillies. As manager for the Reds, his career ended due to allegations of betting on baseball. He holds MLB records for hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and at-bats (14,053).
1960: Signs Professional Contract
In 1960, Pete Rose signed a professional baseball contract for $7,000 after graduating high school.
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April 8, 1963: Major League Debut
On April 8, 1963, Pete Rose made his Major League debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Crosley Field.
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1968: League Leader in Batting Average
In 1968, Pete Rose led the league in batting average. He also finished in the top five vote-getters.
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1969: League Leader in Batting Average
In 1969, Pete Rose again led the league in batting average and finished in the top five vote-getters.
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1970: Rose plays in the World Series
In 1970 Pete Rose played in the World Series, where throughout 6 World Series appearances he batted .321.
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1973: Named National League MVP
In 1973, Pete Rose was voted the National League's Most Valuable Player.
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1975: Top Five MVP Vote-Getter
In 1975, Pete Rose finished in the top five vote-getters for the MVP award.
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1976: Top Five MVP Vote-Getter
In 1976, Pete Rose finished in the top five vote-getters for the MVP award.
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April 29, 1978: Rose Hits Three Home Runs in a Game
On April 29, 1978, Pete Rose had a career-defining performance, hitting three home runs off of three different pitchers in a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, going 5-for-6.
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June 14, 1978: Rose Begins Hitting Streak
On June 14, 1978, Pete Rose started a significant hitting streak, singling off Cubs pitcher Dave Roberts, leading to a run at Joe DiMaggio's record.
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1979: League Leader in On-Base Percentage
In 1979, Pete Rose led the league in on-base percentage.
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April 13, 1984: Rose Gets 4,000th Career Hit
On April 13, 1984, the 21st anniversary of his first career hit, Pete Rose doubled off the Phillies' Jerry Koosman for his 4,000th career hit while playing for the Montreal Expos, becoming the second player in the 4,000 hit club.
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August 15, 1984: Rose Traded Back to Reds and Named Player-Manager
On August 15, 1984, the Expos traded Pete Rose back to the Reds for infielder Tom Lawless, and Rose was immediately named player-manager, replacing Vern Rapp.
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September 11, 1985: Rose Breaks Cobb's All-Time Hits Record
On September 11, 1985, Pete Rose surpassed Ty Cobb's all-time hits record with his 4,192nd hit against Eric Show of the San Diego Padres. Following this milestone, ABC's Wide World of Sports recognized Rose as its Athlete of the Year.
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1985: Rose Begins Managing the Reds
In 1985 Pete Rose began his managerial career with the Cincinnati Reds. He managed for four full seasons, leading the Reds to four second-place finishes.
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1985: Allegations of Corked Bats During Record Chase
In 1985, during Pete Rose's pursuit of Ty Cobb's hit record, there were allegations that Rose used corked bats. Two sports memorabilia collectors had Rose's game-used bats x-rayed and found signs of corking. Rose had previously denied using corked bats.
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August 17, 1986: Rose's Final Career At-Bat
On August 17, 1986, Pete Rose had his final career at-bat, striking out against Goose Gossage of the San Diego Padres. Rose finished his career with a total of 4,256 hits.
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November 11, 1986: Rose Dropped from Reds Roster
On November 11, 1986, Pete Rose was dropped from the Cincinnati Reds' forty-man roster, unofficially marking his retirement as a player. He concluded his career holding numerous MLB and NL records.
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1986: Rose Retires
In 1986, Pete Rose retired with a modern-day career fielding percentage of 99.14% as a right fielder and a National League modern-day career fielding percentage of 99.07% as a left fielder.
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1988: Reds Post Second-Place Finish
In 1988, Pete Rose managed the Reds to another second-place finish in the NL West division. This was the fourth consecutive second-place finish for the team under Rose's management.
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August 24, 1989: Rose's Tenure as Reds Manager Ends
On August 24, 1989, Pete Rose's time as manager of the Cincinnati Reds concluded. He maintained a career record of 426-388 as a manager.
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1997: Pete Rose Jr. Makes MLB Debut
In 1997, Pete Rose's son, Pete Rose Jr., advanced to the major leagues and played an 11-game stint with the Reds.
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1999: All-Century Team Introduction
In 1999, Pete Rose participated in the pre-game introduction of the All-Century team before Game Two of the World Series.
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2002: Appearance During 2002 World Series
In 2002, Pete Rose appeared during the 2002 World Series in a Mastercard-sponsored event recalling "Baseball's Most Memorable Moments".
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September 2010: Celebration of 25th Anniversary of 4,192nd Hit
In September 2010, MLB allowed Pete Rose to participate in a celebration at Great American Ball Park of the 25th anniversary of his 4,192nd hit.
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June 16, 2014: Managed Bridgeport Bluefish for One Game
On June 16, 2014, Pete Rose returned to managing, serving as guest manager for the Bridgeport Bluefish in an independent league game.
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April 16, 2015: Hired as Fox Sports Analyst
On April 16, 2015, it was announced that Pete Rose was hired by Fox Sports to serve as a guest studio color analyst for MLB coverage.
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May 11, 2015: Fox Sports 1 Debut
On May 11, 2015, Pete Rose made his Fox Sports 1 debut as a studio analyst.
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2015: Participation in 2015 MLB All-Star Game Festivities
In 2015, Pete Rose participated in the festivities for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, held in Cincinnati, taking the field alongside Reds teammates.
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2016: Jersey Retired by the Reds
In 2016, Pete Rose had his jersey retired by the Reds, which had to be approved by MLB.
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August 2017: Let Go by Fox Sports
In August 2017, Pete Rose was let go by Fox Sports after details of his sexual relationship with a teenager in the 1970s were revealed.
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